Asterium expands crypto payments into daily use in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Asterium crypto ecosystem has begun expanding the use of crypto assets beyond trading operations by integrating them into everyday economic activities in Uzbekistan, according to a company statement.

Users can now pay for services in cafes, airline tickets, and retail purchases through a network of local partners, marking a shift from investment-focused use of digital assets toward practical payment applications in the real economy.

The project is positioned as one of the first in Central Asia to introduce crypto assets as a functional means of payment in daily transactions.

A key part of the infrastructure is the integration with Rahmat, one of Uzbekistan’s largest digital payment platforms, which provides businesses with payment acceptance and management services. Through this system, users can already pay for food and services in cafes and restaurants using crypto assets.

The company has also enabled payments for travel services through partners connected to Octobank, including the purchase of airline tickets from carriers Centrum Air and Qanot Sharq.

Asterium plans to further expand into mass retail and e-commerce. Potential integration areas include large retail chains across the CIS region, as well as one of Uzbekistan’s leading supermarket networks.

Asterium’s Chief Commercial Officer, Nadejda Cotsaga, stated that the next stage in the development of crypto assets is their practical use in everyday life, ranging from dining and travel to retail consumption.

The company says it provides businesses with an infrastructure platform for accepting crypto payments, including mechanisms to reduce volatility risks and technical and regulatory support for transaction processing.

The project launch comes amid Uzbekistan strengthening its position as one of the more regulated cryptocurrency markets in the region, where conditions are being developed for the practical application of blockchain technologies.

Asterium’s expansion in Uzbekistan is part of its global strategy to build a comprehensive crypto-financial ecosystem that includes payment services, digital asset custody, tokenization, and banking solutions.